In Wilmington It Could Cost More to Commit a Crime

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - State lawmakers from Wilmington want to make crime in the city more costly for the perpetrators.

The state House is expected to vote this week on a bill that requires people convicted of criminal offenses in Wilmington to pay a new $25 penalty, on top of any other fines and penalties they might face.

Supporters say that with the city's high crime rate, the new fines would help offset the costs of policing and investigations.

The bill calls for penalties to be paid to court officials for transfer to the state treasury, where they would be deposited in a separate account and paid to the city each year.